“You should be wary of setting rules with me. you know I live to break them.” – 3.75/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: modeling, debuts, practice sessions, radio shows, phone calls, restaurants, and secret romances.
New York Times bestselling author Axie Oh’s ASAP is the much anticipated companion novel to beloved romance XOXO, following fan favorites Sori, the wealthy daughter of a K-pop company owner, and Nathaniel, her K-pop star ex-boyfriend, in a swoon-worthy second chance love story.
Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend.
Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . .
So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide: Is her future worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?
I loved this book! When I started reading it, I had no idea this was the second book in the “XOXO” series – more specifically, a companion novel series. This was a very pleasant surprise because I had no idea the books would be in the same Universe! And if I’m being honest, I think this story is even better than “XOXO”. With that said, I’m sure you can read this as a standalone… but my advice for you would be to read “XOXO” first because you will understand the story a little better and know what happened before that led to the “now”. One aspect of this book that I really liked was the characters, in particular Kim Sori! She was a very interesting and different character: not only she was very talented and about to debut, but she was also a very likable character. I also really liked Nathaniel as a main character and romantic interest. They had really good chemistry and cared deeply about each other, and it showed through the pages. In case you are curious about the tropes that are present in the book, I would say the main ones are the “second chance romance” trope, the “friends to lovers” trope, and the “forbidden romance” trope (the last one is related to Nathaniel being an idol). Also… can we talk about this cover? This is absolutely stunning! I hope the author continues to use this style for the covers (at least for this series).
This was a really fun book, and I am PRAYING we get more storylines for this series. I wonder if the author will continue this series for the other members? I can guarantee I would read it! I guess we’ll find out sooner or later.
It’s time for another monthly TBR List! This time I’m bringing you the books I’m planning to read in September.
If you read my post onHow I Create My Monthly TBR Lists, you already know my magical formula to create a reading month. This is the formula I’m planning on keeping for this year, so the goal is to read 2 paperbacks, 2 audiobooks, 1 ebook, and 1 manga volume per month.
So for September, I’m planning on reading 1 non-fiction book as an audiobook, 1 fantasy manga volume from my current series, and 4 romance books as 2 paperbacks and 2 ebooks. But I’ll show you in more detail! Here are the books I’m planning on reading:
This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:
1. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté
I loved “The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Maté, and from that moment on I knew I wanted to read more from this author! This book in particular caught my eye because it focuses on addition and its physical manifestations. This is a subject that I’m curious about, so I decided to add this book to my next TBR List! I just know this is going to be very interesting.
Synopsis
“He would probably dispute it, but Gabor Maté is something of a compassion machine. Diligently treating the drug addicts of Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside with sympathy in his heart and legislative reform in mind can’t be easy. But Maté never judges. His book is a powerful call-to-arms, both for the decriminalization of drugs and for a more sympathetic and informed view of addiction. As Maté observes, “Those whom we dismiss as ‘junkies’ are not creatures from a different world, only men and women mired at the extreme end of a continuum on which, here or there, all of us might well locate ourselves.” In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts begins by introducing us to many of Dr. Maté’s most dire patients who steal, cheat, sell sex, and otherwise harm themselves for their next hit. Maté looks to the root causes of addiction, applying a clinical and psychological view to the physical manifestation and offering some enlightening answers for why people inflict such catastrophe on themselves. Finally, he takes aim at the hugely ineffectual, largely U.S.-led War on Drugs (and its worldwide followers), challenging the wisdom of fighting drugs instead of aiding the addicts, and showing how controversial measures such as safe injection sites are measurably more successful at reducing drug-related crime and the spread of disease than anything most major governments have going. It’s not easy reading, but we ignore his arguments at our peril. When it comes to combating the drug trade and the ravages of addiction, society can use all the help it can get. –Kim Hughes”
2. Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher
I’m finally concluding the “Dreamland Billionaires” trilogy in September! I had fun reading the two first books so far, and I’m curious about the last brother’s story. It seems like this is a second-chance romance – which to be honest, it’s not my favorite trope -, so I’m a little apprehensive. I can only hope it’s good, fingers crossed!
Synopsis
“Callahan I’m the Kane brother everyone gossips about behind closed doors. Trust fund brat. Washed-up athlete. High-functioning alcoholic. No one knows the real me but her. Lana Castillo—my childhood best friend and the only woman I ever loved. When I broke her heart six years ago, I promised to never return to Lake Wisteria. I kept my word until my grandfather’s will changed everything. To receive my inheritance, I was tasked with spending a summer at the family lake house before selling it. The request was simple in theory until my entire plan blew up on the very first day. Turns out Lana doesn’t just live at the house, but she claims to own it, too Alana Falling in love with Callahan Kane was a mistake. He told me so before destroying my heart and our friendship six summers ago. When he promised never to come back, I foolishly believed him. But then Cal showed up again, intending to sell his grandfather’s lake house. The biggest flaw in his plan? My name is on the deed.”
3. Death Note, Vol. 6by Tsugumi Ohba
It’s time for another “Death Note” volume! So far I’m enjoying the story and since I never finished the anime, I’m getting to parts of the story that I didn’t know – which is pretty exciting! Also, I’ve been thinking about how long it’s taking me to read this manga series, so I’m planning on picking up the pace and trying to finish it by the new year! Let’s see if I can read more than 1 volume in September.
Synopsis
“Although they’ve collected plenty of evidence tying the seven Yotsuba members to the newest Kira, Light, L and the rest of the task force are no closer to discovering which one actually possesses the Death Note. Desperate for some headway, L recruits Misa to infiltrate the group and feed them information calculated to bring Kira into the open. But the Shinigami Rem reveals to Misa who the Kiras really are, and, armed with this knowledge, Misa will do anything to help Light. But what will that mean for L…?”
4. The Summer of Broken Rulesby K.L. Walther
To be completely honest with you guys, I have no idea what this book is all about. I purposely have not read the synopsis, but it seems like a sad romance? I feel like reading a random book without knowing anything about it, so I decided to go with this one! I know it sounds weird, but sometimes I judge books too soon and I feel like I miss out on good stories because I automatically discard them after reading 5 words from the synopsis. I’m going to leave it below anyway for you, in case you want to know what the book is about. Wish me luck!
Synopsis
“Meredith Fox has been going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer as long as she can remember. But this summer is the first one back since the death of Meredith’s sister. It will all be overwhelming, but even more since since the entire extended family will be together for her cousin’s big wedding. Unfortunately, Meredith’s longtime boyfriend unexpectedly dumped her two weeks before the wedding, leaving her dateless. Luckily, she has the perfect distraction. Her family has a tradition of playing the ultimate game of Assassin every summer, and this year it will take place during the week of wedding festivities. But her target just happens to be a very cute groomsman. She’s determined to not let herself get distracted, not let herself be lost in another doomed relationship. But as the week progresses, she can’t help falling for him, which may cost her not only the game, but also her heart. Meredith’s family’s annual game of assassin at Martha’s Vineyard during a summer wedding is the perfect chance to honor her sister’s legacy, and finally join the world again. But when she forms an alliance with a cute groomsman, she’s at risk of losing both the game… and her heart.”
5. Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons #4)by Julia Quinn
The most awaited book for me! I’m a huge Polin fan, so I’m very excited to finally get into their story! My hope for this book is that it will be better than their Netflix series – for which I had some mixed feelings. I hope the story is good – but I’ll find out when I finally read it in September!
Synopsis
“Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London. Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for…well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret…and fears she doesn’t know him at all. Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide…is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?”
6. More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2) by Brigid Kemmerer
I’ve been wanting to read this book for so many years now! I read “Letters to the Lost” – the first book in this duology – as a standalone about (I’m guessing) 6 or 7 years ago! Some time later I found out this book existed and I immediately added it to my TBR List! As you know, I finished rereading the first book recently because I wanted to have the story fresh in my mind before reading this book. This is one of the oldest books on my TBR (probably top 3), so I’m excited to finally read it!
Synopsis
“Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back. Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid. When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.”
Aaaand there you have it friends, my TBR list! As usual, I hope you liked this post! Let me know if you have any recommendations for me. You know I’m always grateful for those!
“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.” – 4/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: dinner dates, terrible parents, drama, scars, novelists, and life changes.
Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.
Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.
Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?
It has been a while since I’ve picked up a Colleen Hoover book! It’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t grab them anymore – but I had this on my shelf for a very long time and it was time to finally give it a go. I liked it! It’s not my favorite book from her, but it’s also not at the bottom of the list. The concept of the book was really interesting and unique: the characters meet on the same day, every year for 5 years, and each chapter is a different year! They have no contact the rest of the time, just that one day per year. It was interesting to see how their lives changed so much from year to year, and I thought the portrait was very realistic and believable. Sometimes they were dating other people, other times they were not – and that made it difficult for them to be together. For me, this story made me think about how some people don’t get together because the timing is not quite right – and sometimes it will never be right. But I also believe that some people are meant to be together, and will eventually find their way to each other. I really liked this story and how creative it was – I mean, it’s Colleen, so of course the story is very creative and different. I wonder if November 9th is a special day for her?
I enjoyed this a lot, and in true Colleen fashion, this had a few plot twists in the mix! It was fast-paced, and every year something dramatic happened so I was always invested in the story. This was the only Colleen Hoover book I was missing from her older books, so now I’m (mostly) up to date! I still have a few books to read from her that are more recent, but we’ll get there eventually.
“A man with charm is an entertaining thing, and a man with looks is, ofcourse, a sight to behold, but a man with honor – ah, he is the one, dear reader, to which young ladies should flock.” – 4.25/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: bee stings, fresh air, marriage plans, invitations, the diamond of the season, debutants, sharp tongues, pall mall, funny siblings, and rakes.
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better… —Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814
Anthony Bridgerton needs a wife.
Having spent his twenties in a rakish pursuit of pleasure, he knows it’s high time he settled down and ensured the continuation of the Bridgerton line.
Edwina Sheffield is considered the most beautiful debutante of the current season. She is also sweet, innocent and eminently biddable – Anthony is sure she’ll make a perfectly acceptable wife and vows to make her his.
The only obstacle in his way is Edwina’s older sister, Kate. Kate is determined to do all she can to allow her sister the chance to marry for love rather than convenience. And the roguish viscount is beginning to think he may have met his match in Kate’s keen wit and sharp tongue. Until, that is, he makes the mistake of kissing her…
Oh, Kanthony! I actually liked this book waaay more than the first one from the series. I’ll admit I was a little afraid the rest of the books were like Daphne’s story, but this book proved me wrong! There wasn’t a dull moment in this book – I truly had a ton of fun reading Anthony and Kate’s story. For starters, the characters had depth and good backstories – which is one precious ingredient to make a good story. Anthony had this shell he created to protect himself from the pain love could bring – and Kate was solely focused on her sister’s happiness and getting her a good husband (not a rake like Anthony). This story also has probably my favorite trope of all time: enemies to lovers! I loved their banter and how they kept provoking each other – it made the story way more exciting. Not only that, but they had great chemistry together. As a side note, I like Whistledown’s insights at the beginning of the chapters, because it shows what the outsiders know about the events portrayed in the book. Also, the rest of the Bridgertons are super funny and their interactions add a good, fun layer to the story! After this book, I feel like my opinion on the series is changing. It seems like I’ll find some great books here, and others will be a miss – and that’s okay. I’m excited to keep going and to get to the other siblings. I hope I’ll like Benedict’s story!
“We’re all united by grief, and somehow divided by the same thing.” – 5/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: grief, understanding, judgment, self-acceptance, photography, fixing cars, mowing lawns, unexpected pregnancies, yearbooks, advanced English classes, and… of course, love.
Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother’s death, she leaves letters at her grave. It’s the only way Juliet can cope.
Declan Murphy isn’t the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he’s trying to escape the demons of his past.
When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can’t resist writing back. Soon, he’s opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they’re not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.
I actually read this book for the second time in August! And funny enough… I still love it! The book follows a girl named Juliet Young who always wrote letters to her mother when she was photojournaling all over the world. But after her mother died in a car crash, she kept writing letters to her and left them in her grave as a way of coping. Until one day, Declan – a bad boy serving community service – reads and replies to one of her letters. Juliet gets angry, but writes back to him – and slowly they start exchanging more letters telling more about their lives and how they cope with their losses. Of course, they fall in love and get to know each other on a deeper level. Juliet feels guilty that she asked her mother to come home earlier and believes she died for that reason. Declan feels guilty for her sister’s loss since he let his father drive drunk with her in the car. I don’t really pick sad YA books like this anymore, but I have to say that this book is special. When I first picked this book up, I didn’t think it would be that deep, but I’m thankful it turned out like that. It was sad, but at the same time inspiring and wholesome! I also appreciate the writing. We have alternating first-person perspectives of both main characters throughout the book, which makes the book very interesting and fun to read! Also love the side characters, especially Declan’s best friend Rev, who suffered from a cruel past as well. The book is beautifully written and is very rich, with some poem quotes and real references, such as the picture taken by Kevin Carter of the child and the vulture – yup, I even looked it up. It’s not a fluffy book because the topics are heavy, but you still get that YA feeling. It’s a stunning book! Read it in one sitting for the first time and I have no regrets! Now I want to get to the next book about Rev! I guess you can consider this part of a 2-book companion novel series? I’ll be reading that one soon!
“Love is friendship, but it is friendship with fire in its belly.” – 3/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: breakfast burritos, lessons, glasses, cucumbers, and cute cats.
She says she needs some help … in the bedroom.
Come again? No, really come again.
Sweet, nerdy, lovable Keaton.
She’s my best friend and has been for years. Sure she likes numbers and math, and thinks doing other people’s taxes is fun. And I like … none of that stuff. She’s obsessed with her cat and reads novels I’ll never understand, and yet we just click. There’s no one I’d rather share breakfast burritos with or binge watch hours of Netflix. She’s my person. And so when she takes off her glasses and asks me to help her improve her skills in the bedroom, I barely have to think about it.
Of course I’ll help her. There’s no one better for the job.
I’ve been there for her through everything, why should this be any different?
But what happens when she’s ready to take her new-found confidence and move on?
I love romance books… but this in particular was not very memorable to me – I read it one or two weeks ago, and surprisingly I can’t remember the details! After some thought, I believe I’m being nice to give it a 3-star rating. The characters were bland and had no chemistry. The guy is the popular type and the girl is the nerdy one. After peer judgment, she becomes self-conscious about her sex skills and asks her best friend to help her improve them. Of course, they eventually develop feelings for each other, and that’s what the story is about. As you can probably tell, this has a friends-to-lovers trope – they became friends in college and have been friends ever since -, and also a sex ed kind of trope as well. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind cliché – but I really didn’t care about these characters and plot. I just couldn’t connect with them. On a positive note, it’s a book that is easy to digest and go through. It was entertaining to some extent, but I didn’t feel a lot. I like Kendall Ryan’s books, so I’m going to keep reading from her. But this was mostly a miss from me.
“A part of intimacy is trusting someone enough to let go of that control a little. And that can be very difficult sometimes.” – 4.25/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: university visits, body image issues, sleepovers, final exams, and a lot of texting.
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series.
Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They’ve finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house … But with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?
By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper encompasses all the small moments of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, and sexual references.
Oh, how I love this cute series. It was so nice to revisit these characters! I love them so much, and it was a joy to see them going through puberty and figuring life out! They are so adorable and I love their love for each other and how they express their feelings. I’m positive this is a common feeling among “Heartstopper” readers! This volume in particular has a specific focus on them figuring out their sexual relationship together, Nick’s dilemma with picking a university and possibly moving far from Charlie, and also Charlie’s issues with body image. It’s not that it’s a heavy book, but it’s a little more serious than the previous books! With that said, it was still very fun and endearing. In case you don’t know, there’s still one more book coming! Originally this was going to be the last book in the series, but the author decided to publish one more! It will be the last one so I’m excited to see what it’s all about when it finally comes out.
“When I met him in person at a fan meeting, I became addicted to seeing him in real life. It started after that.” – 3/5 stars!
Attention! This book contains: sasaeng fans, threats, surprise trips, flower bouquets, private lessons, Korean food, PTSD, and a lot of scary situations.
Chloe Gibson’s dating the man of her dreams-a talented and gorgeous K-drama star. But there’s just one catch: they have to keep their relationship secret. This isn’t the ideal romance Chloe used to fantasise about.
Fortunately, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The couple have an agreement that after one year of dating in secret, they’ll front up to the South Korean media and go public with their relationship.
But the year won’t be smooth sailing.
When a mysterious package shows up, Chloe’s life is thrust into chaos. Soon she’s being plagued by creepy anonymous messages and the unsettling feeling she’s being followed.
The question is no longer whether the relationship will survive, it’s will Chloe survive?
It was okay? I think I prefer the first book a little better if I’m being honest. In this book, we follow Chloe once again, but this time she is dealing with a different struggle. We know from the last book that they started dating but decided to keep it a secret from the public since he’s a well-known actor. In this book, the story continues with Jinseung leaving for Jeju island to film another drama (and is gone for most of the book) and leaves Chloe to deal with a crazy sasaeng alone. It was a little nerve-racking to see her getting threats and being stalked because I’m sure fans do crazy things to idols’ family and friends in real life, so in that aspect, it felt real – but other than that, the story felt a little silly to me. I thought this would be another romance book, but it was more of a thriller with almost no romance, so I was a little disappointed. Sure, this still gives K-drama vibes as a thriller, but I think the theme changed a lot compared to the first book and that is something the reader is probably not expecting. With the first book we get a cute love story – which, if I’m being honest, is the only reason why I even decided to read this series in the first place -, but in the second book, things get way darker. And I have to mention the “big plot twist”. There was a plot twist in the story that was very obvious and you see it coming very soon in the book – not sure if the author meant for it to be this obvious, but it was. I was hoping I was wrong and that the tables would turn at the end, but that didn’t happen. I wanted to be surprised! I still liked it for what it was and it was entertaining – but like I said, I was hoping this would be more focused on the love story! I’ve already read the synopsis for the third book in the series, and I decided I probably won’t pick it up.
One more month means a new Wrap Up – and that’s exactly what I’m bringing you today! This month I really tried to focus on reading the books from my monthly TBR and the books I’ve already started in the previous months.
That means I tried not to seek spontaneous reads this month! I really wanted to finish all the books I already started to have a clean slate for August. I ended up reading the 6 books I planned on reading from my TBR and I was also able to pick 1 random book – so if you ask me, I think it went pretty well!
Ok, let’s take a look at the books, shall we?
This is the list I have to share with you today! Let’s take a closer look:
1. The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegmund-Broka: 3/5⭐
To be honest with you guys, this book was a little disappointing. I probably hyped it up too much in my head because of how popular it became and being inspired by Taylor Swift – but it was a very mediocre book. What I disliked the most was the way the book progresses with so little action. There’s a lot of internal dialog and introspective from both main characters, and, consequentially, the action is missing. Also, there was so much room and inspiration to add details and to develop the story to make it rich, but the authors kept it very superficial. I honestly was expecting more from this story. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good as well.
Synopsis
“A rising-star musician has a second chance at love with an old flame she remembers all too well in this swoony romance from the acclaimed authors of The Roughest Draft. Riley Wynn went from a promising singer-songwriter to a superstar overnight, thanks to her breakup song concept album and its unforgettable lead single. When Riley’s ex-husband claims the hit song is about him, she does something she hasn’t in ten years and calls Max Harcourt, her college boyfriend and the real inspiration for the song of the summer. Max hasn’t spoken to Riley since their relationship ended. He’s content with managing the retirement home his family owns, but it’s not the life he dreamed of filled with music. When Riley asks him to go public as her songwriting muse, he agrees on one he’ll join her in her band on tour. As they perform across the country, Max and Riley start to realize that while they hit some wrong notes in the past, their future could hold incredible things. And their rekindled relationship will either last forever or go down in flames.”
2. Death Note Vol. 3 by Tsugumi Ohba: 3.5/5⭐
I don’t have much to say about this book other than I liked it. I feel like the series is being very cohesive and the quality of each book is very similar to one another. So far I’m enjoying the story.
Synopsis
“Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects–and he’s bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal…or his life?”
3. The Fine Print (The Dreamland Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher: 4/5⭐
I’ll admit I was afraid this would be a overhyped book, but I actually enjoyed this story a lot. This book has the enemies to lovers trope, which is one my favorite tropes! It’s not the most amazing romance I have ever read, but it was entertaining and I had a good time reading it.
Synopsis
“Rowan I’m in the business of creating fairy tales. Theme parks. Production companies. Five-star hotels. Everything could be all mine if I renovated Dreamland. My initial idea of hiring Zahra was good in theory, but then I kissed her. Things spiraled out of control once I texted her using an alias. By the time I realized where I went wrong, it was too late. People like me don’t get happy endings. Not when we’re destined to ruin them. Zahra After submitting a drunk proposal criticizing Dreamland’s most expensive ride, I should have been fired. Instead, Rowan Kane offered me a dream job. The catch? I had to work for the most difficult boss I’d ever met. Rowan was rude and completely off-limits, but my heart didn’t care. At least not until I discovered his secret. It was time to teach the billionaire that money couldn’t fix everything. Especially not us.”
4. The Dating Drama (My K-Drama Life #2) by Sara Martin: 3/5⭐
Another book I finished this month was “The Dating Drama” by Sara Martin, the second book in the “My K-Drama Life” series. It was okay, I guess? I think I prefer the first book a little better. I thought this would be a true romance book, but it was more of a thriller with almost no romance, so I was a little disappointed. It was entertaining at the end of the day, but like I said, I kind of hoped this would be more focused on the love story.
Synopsis
“Chloe Gibson’s dating the man of her dreams-a talented and gorgeous K-drama star. But there’s just one catch: they have to keep their relationship secret. This isn’t the ideal romance Chloe used to fantasise about. Fortunately, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The couple have an agreement that after one year of dating in secret, they’ll front up to the South Korean media and go public with their relationship. But the year won’t be smooth sailing. When a mysterious package shows up, Chloe’s life is thrust into chaos. Soon she’s being plagued by creepy anonymous messages and the unsettling feeling she’s being followed. The question is no longer whether the relationship will survive, it’s will Chloe survive?”
5. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté: 5/5⭐
I absolutely loved this and can confidently say this is one of the best books I’ve read this year! It’s a book written by a doctor talking about how trauma and illness develop when you are living in a toxic culture. It was fascinating and I saw myself a lot in it. Worth reading!
Synopsis
“By the acclaimed author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, a groundbreaking investigation into the causes of illness, a bracing critique of how our society breeds disease, and a pathway to health and healing. In this revolutionary book, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health? Over four decades of clinical experience, Maté has come to recognize the prevailing understanding of “normal” as false, neglecting the roles that trauma and stress, and the pressures of modern-day living, exert on our bodies and our minds at the expense of good health. For all our expertise and technological sophistication, Western medicine often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today’s culture stresses the body, burdens the immune system, and undermines emotional balance. Now Maté brings his perspective to the great untangling of common myths about what makes us sick, connects the dots between the maladies of individuals and the declining soundness of society—and offers a compassionate guide for health and healing. Co-written with his son Daniel, The Myth of Normal is Maté’s most ambitious and urgent book yet.”
6. Love Machine by Kendall Ryan: 3/5⭐
This was the book I picked up randomly during the month! I had this paperback on my shelf looking at me, so I thought why not? In essence, it was a mediocre read: not great, not terrible – just meh. As you can probably tell from the cringy torso cover, this is one of those fast-paced new adult romances I like to pick occasionally. I didn’t go into it with high expectations, so I’m not really disappointed with the reading experience. It was entertaining for what it was and fast to read!
Synopsis
“She says she needs some help … in the bedroom. Come again? No, really come again. Sweet, nerdy, lovable Keaton. She’s my best friend and has been for years. Sure she likes numbers and math, and thinks doing other people’s taxes is fun. And I like … none of that stuff. She’s obsessed with her cat and reads novels I’ll never understand, and yet we just click. There’s no one I’d rather share breakfast burritos with or binge watch hours of Netflix. She’s my person. And so when she takes off her glasses and asks me to help her improve her skills in the bedroom, I barely have to think about it. Of course I’ll help her. There’s no one better for the job. I’ve been there for her through everything, why should this be any different? But what happens when she’s ready to take her new-found confidence and move on?”
7. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons #2) by Julia Quinn: 4.25/5⭐
I finally finished the second book in the “Bridgerton” series! I actually liked this book waaay more than the first one. I was afraid all the books were like the first book, but this book proved me wrong! I’m excited to keep going, I hope I’ll like Benedict’s story next.
Synopsis
“1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better… —Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814 Anthony Bridgerton needs a wife. Having spent his twenties in a rakish pursuit of pleasure, he knows it’s high time he settled down and ensured the continuation of the Bridgerton line. Edwina Sheffield is considered the most beautiful debutante of the current season. She is also sweet, innocent and eminently biddable – Anthony is sure she’ll make a perfectly acceptable wife and vows to make her his. The only obstacle in his way is Edwina’s older sister, Kate. Kate is determined to do all she can to allow her sister the chance to marry for love rather than convenience. And the roguish viscount is beginning to think he may have met his match in Kate’s keen wit and sharp tongue. Until, that is, he makes the mistake of kissing her…”
As usual, I’ll be posting the reviews for these books soon.
What about you guys? How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading friends, I’ll catch you guys later!
Sprayed Edges 